Do you love curling up by the fire on a cold winter's night? Many of us like to spend more time inside and hunker down during the colder months but that can also mean blasting the heat to stay warm. If you want to be mindful of your energy use (and save on your energy bills), there’s a lot you can do to prepare for an eco-friendly winter.

With colder weather just around the corner, we’re covering all the ways you can get your home ready for a sustainable winter season.

Invest in Solar Energy

You may think using solar energy is only beneficial during the summer months, well that’s not true. Solar panels work well in the winter too. During the summer panels store up the extra energy that doesn’t get used, which means the extra energy is used during the cloudy and cooler months. Also when the weather is colder the panels don’t heat up as much, cooler panels have a higher voltage. This means they work more efficiently and don’t need as much sunlight to produce electricity, as compared to the warmer months.

If you aren’t ready for solar panels, then you can still use solar energy with Comunity Solar Farms. To participate in the program you subscribe to join the farm, the solar energy the farm produces goes to the local power grid and then you get solar credits from the farm applied to your utility bill. You still need to pay for a subscription, but you’ll be saving money on your energy bill without the upfront expense of installing solar panels.

They are only available in certain locations and your home has to qualify to participate, but if you’re a Hudson Valley resident then you may be able to subscribe! Check out Clearway Community Solar to learn more.

Consider Geothermal Heating

If you’re not able to take advantage of solar energy for your home then you might want to consider geothermal heating as another eco-friendly option.

For those not already familiar with geothermal heating, here’s how it works. Geothermal systems are installed into the ground and transfer heat from one area to another. In the summer they transfer heat from your home into the ground and in the winter they transfer heat from the ground into your home – helping with both cooling and heating.

Like solar panels, geothermal heat pumps cost more upfront to install than regular heat pumps. They do last longer than traditional heat pumps. Despite the initial upfront cost, they are extremely energy efficient and can reduce your energy use by 25-50% (US Department of Energy), making them one of the most eco-friendly options available. Like solar panels, there are also federal tax incentives for installing these systems. However, they don’t work for all homes so you’ll need to consult a professional to see if your home is eligible and would benefit.

Insulate and Seal Your Home

Insulation and sealing are important factors to keep your home warm during the winter. This means you should check for any gaps around windows and doors, caulk them or replace them as needed. If it’s time to upgrade your old insulation think about switching to an eco-friendly option.

Aside from traditional insulation and sealing, there are other things you can do to help insulate your home for winter.

Add thicker drapery to your window treatments. Closing drapes in the evening will help keep heat in while opening them on sunny days will let natural light in to help warm your home.

Incorporate cozy rugs throughout your home design which will help your home feel warmer. Not only do rugs help provide an extra layer of insulation but your feet will be happier not walking barefoot on cold hardwood or tile floors.

Open spaces take more time and energy to heat. Closing interior doors and/or vents can help control temperature in different rooms so you’re only warming the rooms that are in use.

Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket. It’ll stop your water heater from losing heat as quickly helping it use less energy to run.

Regulate the Temperature in Your Home

Another way to conserve energy is to regulate the temperature in your home. Lower the thermostat when you go to bed and see how low you can keep it without making everyone in your household too cold.

Smart thermostats prevent you from using excess heat since you can program the temperature to be lower when people aren’t home and when you go to bed. They can be controlled with your phone or device making them really convenient and easy to use. If you forget to turn the heat off before you left the house, just check it on your phone and turn it off from where ever you are. Even better many have diagnostic capabilities alerting you when there’s an issue with your HVAC system.

Also, remember to clean or replace your HVAC filters regularly to make sure your systems aren’t working harder than they need to.

Get Those Fireplaces Ready

Not only does lighting a fire create a pleasant and homey atmosphere, but it’s another eco-friendly alternative for heating your home. Even if you have a natural gas fireplace, it’s still better than using your HVAC system. Natural gas is responsible for the least emissions and burning wood has a low environmental impact because of the carbon the tree absorbed when it was alive.

Also, when you’re fireplace is not in use, remember to keep it closed to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney all winter.

Layer Your Home

Similar to wearing more layers in the winter, think about dressing your home in layers. This means cozy blankets and throws are easily accessible throughout your home. Have these in rooms they’re most used in, like in the living room or tv room and in bedrooms. You can lay them across the sofa, chairs, and beds or have them folded in baskets. There are so many ways you can accessorize with blankets around your home.

Switch out your bed lighter linens for warmer winter bedding. Think brushed cotton, wool, or flannel sheets along with added layers to your bed.

Bundle up while indoors with cozy sweaters and socks, we love Jenni Kayne’s selection of winter sweaters.

For more on all things Eco-friendly check out our other posts on the topic:

Need help from a professional interior designer? If winterizing your home has made you realize you need to tackle some bigger design projects then AHG Interiors can help! Whether you want to design both the interior and exterior of your home, remodel your kitchen or bathroom, or need help with styling and furnishing we’ve got you covered. We offer custom design solutions that fit your lifestyle. Get in touch with us to discuss your project.

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